Maria Sharapova Kicks Off 2010 with a Fresh 6-Pack and Racquet from Prince.

No were not talkin' beer here. When Maria Sharapova steps out at the Australian Open later this month she will be carrying the first piece from her 2010 Limited Edition Prince Sharapova Bag Collection, the six-pack racquet bag pictured below AND a new racquet.

“With the bag, the Prince product development team and I decided to push the boundaries of traditional racquet bag silhouettes to develop a new look that incorporates my fashion sense, while at the same time providing the functionality that players need on-court,” said Sharapova.

The six pack ($79) really doesn't look all that different here but it has a distinctly elegant feel in reality–click on the image to see detail. It's clean and pretty looking, constructed of a softer, lighter nylon cloth than is usually seen — no sheen to it. The profile is raised, the royal blue sections have a slightly ribbed texture and the embroidered detail around the logo and Sharapova emblem adds panache. I like all the extra pockets so the little items we women carry don't all fall to the bottom in a messy jumble — no thermal pocket though. Don't forget your racquets in a hot car.

Sharapova will carry this bag through the French Open before introducing a new color. The bag will also be available as a triple, $59.

Sharapova's newest weapon (with her above) is the EXO3 Black, $199 – We're actually giving one away on Twitter — This is one of the new frame offerings from Prince's 2010 performance racquet line and is set to hit stores January 18. I love the stealth looking matte paint job on this particular O3 upgrade.

“I picked up the EXO3 Black and immediately loved the sound the ball made coming off the string bed – something very important to me,” said Sharapova. “I also felt as though I could generate the power and comfort I need on balls I have to reach for or are out of my traditional hitting zone, but was receiving additional control in the process." The lighter, new EXO3 Black Team is $179. It's not matte.

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